Balancing holder for writing instrument

ABSTRACT

A balancing holder or stand for a pen or other writing instrument includes a parabolic, paraboloid, or substantially parabolic bottom surface, an outer ring, an upper surface, and, optionally, an upper element extending from the upper surface and a top surface. A writing instrument may be inserted into the stand through an opening to a chamber or reservoir, which in various embodiments can be flat or slanted and may extend straight downward or at an angle downward. In various embodiments, surfaces of the upper surface, upper element, and top surface can be flat, angled, curved, or a combination thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/648,376, filed Jan. 28, 2005, and claims priority to U.S. design patent application No. 29/218,314, filed Nov. 30, 2004, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to holders, such as, for example, stands, for pens and other writing instruments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A typical pen has a barrel that surrounds an ink cartridge and a cap that covers the point of the pen. When closed, the pen often has an approximately cylindrical shape.

When a user finishes with the pen, it may be placed in a desk drawer or, commonly, tossed onto the top of a desk. While various stands and holders exist for pens, those tend to be large and to be pre-positioned on one part of a desk. Although movable, they are not always conveniently located when a user is finished using the pen.

When placed on a desk, a pen has little height and is easily lost among the papers and files already on the desk.

This application contains subject matter related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,052. However, among other differences between U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,052 and various embodiments of the instant application, the embodiments described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,052 do not show that the shape of a vertical cross-section of the bottom surface from the bottom point of the bottom surface to an outer diameter of the outer ring of the holder is a parabola, paraboloid, or substantially parabolic. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,052 does not show either that a vertical cross-section of the upper portion and the bottom portion from the bottom point of the bottom surface through the center point of the outer ring has approximately a point at the junction of the upper portion and the bottom portion or that a vertical cross-section of the bottom surface from the bottom point of the bottom surface to an outermost diameter of the outer ring is continuous and substantially parabolic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to certain aspects of the invention, a pen or other writing instrument is provided with a holder, such as, for example, a stand, that is designed with a continuous curve that is approximately parabolic as the bottom surface. When placed or tossed onto a desk or table, the stand causes the writing instrument to remain standing, where it is easily located, for example, due to motion and height. The pen stand may remain on the desk while the pen is used.

The holder may be formed integrally with a pen cap or as a separate piece. When formed with a pen cap, the holder can be sold with the pen, in place of a conventional cap, or as a replacement cap for a pen. In some cases, a pen may not have a cap, such as, for example, a pen with a retractable nib or tip. Thus, the holder can also be sold with such a pen or separately to hold such a pen without a cap.

While not intending to be limited by theory, in at least some embodiments the stand does not rely on weight dispersion to keep the pen in a vertical position on a surface. It can be constructed from a variety of materials, such as, for example, plastic, resin, acrylic, hard rubber, or metal. Examples of suitable metal stands include aluminum and metal alloys, such as, for example, bronze or brass. Additionally, the stand can be designed to accommodate different sizes and shapes of pens.

In various aspects, the present invention relates to a holder for a writing instrument, the holder defining an upper portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion defining a bottom surface, and the upper portion defining an upper surface extending from and sometimes above an outer ring. In various embodiments, the bottom surface is a parabola, paraboloid, or substantially parabolic, and the upper portion has an opening for a pen and can take on various curved and angled shapes, or combinations of curves and angles that may or may not be symmetric to each other and/or to one or more surfaces of the bottom portion of the holder.

In various embodiments of the invention, the opening may be flat or slanted and may extend straight downward or at an angle downward. Likewise, the holder may be hollow, partially hollow, or solid.

In some embodiments of the invention, the holder has additional elements, such as an upper element, on the upper surface.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of various embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a writing instrument stand according to an embodiment of the present invention with a pen.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the writing instrument stand shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of the writing instrument stand shown in FIG. 1 with a pen removed from the stand.

FIG. 4 is a partially cross-sectional side view of the writing instrument stand shown in FIG. 1 with a pen removed from the stand.

FIG. 5A is a perspective side view of a writing instrument stand according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a side view of the writing instrument stand shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a view from line A-A of FIG. 5B.

FIG. 6A is a perspective side view of a writing instrument stand according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a side view of the writing instrument stand shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a view from line A-A of FIG. 6B.

FIG. 7A is a perspective side view of a writing instrument stand according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a side view of the writing instrument stand shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a view from line B-B of FIG. 7B.

FIG. 8A is a perspective side view of a writing instrument stand according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a side view of the writing instrument stand shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is a view from line A-A of FIG. 8B.

FIG. 9A is a perspective side view of a writing instrument stand with a slanted top surface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9B is a side view of a writing instrument stand with a slanted top surface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9C is a view from line A-A of FIG. 9B.

FIG. 10A is a perspective side view of a writing instrument stand according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10B is a side view of the writing instrument stand shown in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C is a view from line A-A of FIG. 10B.

FIG. 11A is a perspective side view of a writing instrument stand according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11B is a side view of the writing instrument stand shown in FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C is a view from line A-A of FIG. 11B.

FIG. 12A is a perspective side view of a writing instrument stand according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12B is a side view of the writing instrument stand shown in FIG. 12A.

FIG. 12C is a view from line C-C of FIG. 12B.

FIG. 13A is a perspective side view of a writing instrument stand according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13B is a side view of the writing instrument stand shown in FIG. 13A.

FIG. 13C is a top view of the writing instrument stand shown in FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a writing instrument stand according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application contains subject matter related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,052, issued Mar. 13, 2001, U.S. provisional application No. 60/648,376, filed Jan. 28, 2005, and U.S. design patent application No. 29/218,314, filed Nov. 30, 2004, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

As shown in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4, stand 10 rests on bottom portion 23, which defines bottom surface 11 ending in outer ring 12. Bottom portion 23 is the combination of all components and surfaces beginning at outer ring 12 and extending downward. Outer ring 12 is the junction between bottom portion 23 and upper portion 22. In various embodiments, a vertical cross-section of the upper portion and the bottom portion from the bottom point of the bottom surface through the center point of the outer ring has approximately a point at the junction of the upper portion and the bottom portion. In some embodiments, this location is a point of discontinuity. Upper portion 22 is the combination of all components and surfaces beginning at outer ring 12 and extending upward. In various embodiments, upper portion 22 includes one or more of an upper surface, an upper junction, an upper element, a top surface, an opening of a chamber, any additional components above the outer ring, and various combinations thereof. In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-4, outer ring 12 is the junction between bottom surface 11 and upper surface 13. Upper surface 13 extends from outer ring 12 to upper junction 14, which is the junction of upper surface 13 and upper element 15. In various embodiments, upper surface 13 curves upward in a convex curve beginning at the outer ring. In additional embodiments, the curve flattens at the top. In further embodiments, the upper surface is slanted. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4, upper element 15 is approximately conical in shape. Upper element 15 extends upward to top surface 16. Writing instrument 17 is inserted into stand 10 through opening 18, such as, for example, a chamber or reservoir, in top surface 16 that extends downward into stand 10. In some such embodiments, the base of upper element 15 at upper junction 14 will be above outer ring 12 when the stand is placed on a horizontal surface, which is shown in, for example, FIG. 2. (For clarity, numbers are not always repeated or provided in all figures to indicate all elements that are present in each figure.)

In some embodiments of the invention, a vertical cross-section of the bottom section of the stand across the diameter of outer ring 12 is a parabola or approximately a parabola or substantially parabolic, as shown, for example, in FIG. 2. Such a cross-section can be described as a vertical cross-section of the bottom surface from bottom point 21 of bottom surface 11 to an outermost diameter of the outer ring or as a vertical cross-section of the bottom surface across a diameter of the outer ring. In various embodiments this vertical cross-section is continuous and substantially parabolic. This parabola is scalable so that for a given diameter of outer ring 12 the arc covered by bottom surface 11 may be more or less than that depicted in FIGS. 1-4. In one embodiment the bottom surface is a paraboloid. In some embodiments, the vertical cross-section of the bottom surface from the bottom point of the bottom surface to an outer diameter of the outer ring is a parabola defined by the equation y=x²/a, where a is not equal to zero or infinity, and where x represents the distance from center or bottom point 21 of bottom surface 11 and y represents the height along the outer edge of bottom surface 11 above its bottom. In one embodiment a is approximately 58 mm. In additional embodiments, a ranges from about 39 mm to about 246 mm. In further embodiments, a ranges from about 45 mm to about 150 mm. In additional embodiments, a ranges from about 50 to about 100 mm. In some embodiments the height of the outer ring above the bottom of the stand varies. The possible ranges of this height depend on the other dimensions of the stand such that the stand remains substantially vertical when placed on a horizontal supporting surface. In other embodiments, bottom surface 11 may be more circular in shape, shaped in the form of a bulb, or take the form of a different curve or a set of curves. In some embodiments of the invention, bottom surface 11 is a single curve to the widest part of stand 10 at outer ring 12. In some embodiments, the outer ring can be non-regular, such as, for example, wavy. In various embodiments of the invention, the bottom surface is not a hemisphere or substantially hemispherical.

In some embodiments of the present invention, when the stand is placed on a surface so that it is nearly horizontal, the curve of the bottom surface will cause the stand and pen to revert to an upright (vertical) or approximately upright position. In various embodiments, the holder reverts to a position in which the upper surface is above or substantially above the bottom surface when the bottom surface of the holder is placed on a horizontal supporting surface. With some embodiments, it is believed that the stand may be placed at an angle of up to 80 degrees from vertical and still return to an upright position. In some embodiments the stand or the stand and pen may move, such as, for example, wobbling or moving in a back and forth, circular, or elliptical motion, before coming to rest in an upright or approximately upright position. The stand may be made from a variety of materials, including but not limited to plastic, resin, acrylic, hard rubber, or metal. Examples of suitable metal stands include aluminum and metal alloys, such as, for example, bronze or brass. The stand also may be made from a combination of materials, may be completely or partially solid or hollow, may be filled with a different material than its outer surfaces, or may be a combination thereof. In some embodiments the stand is transparent or substantially transparent. In addition, the shape and dimensions above the outer ring can vary greatly, with some examples described herein.

The stand may be made by various methods known in the art. For example, the stand can be made on a CNC lathe or can be cast from a mold. In some embodiments the original stand may be made by a lathe, and in some embodiments, copies of the original may be cast from a mold. According to some embodiments of the invention, when making the bottom surface extending to the outer ring on a CNC lathe, the CNC lathe uses a radius to produce a specific curve. According to some embodiments of the invention, this radius could range from a measurement of about 0.9 inches to 13 inches. In some embodiments, the radius could range from about 1.00 inch to about 5 inches. In some embodiments, the radius could range from about 1.00 inch to about 1.99 inches. In additional embodiments, the radius could range from about 1.00 inch to about 1.50 inches. In one embodiment this radius is 1.37 inches.

In some embodiments of the invention, the junction between the upper portion and the bottom portion is a point or approximately a point, such as, for example, in FIGS. 1-4, and in additional embodiments it is a curve. In some embodiments of the invention the outer ring is the widest part of the stand (such as, for example, in FIGS. 1-4).

In one embodiment, the invention is a holder for a writing instrument, the holder defining a bottom surface, an upper surface, an outer ring, an upper element, and a top surface. The outer ring defines a junction between the bottom surface and the upper surface, and the upper surface is a continuous curve ending at an upper junction between the upper surface and the upper element. The upper element extends upward from the upper junction ending at a junction with the top surface, the top surface defines an opening of a chamber for a writing instrument, and the chamber extends downward from the opening in the top surface into the holder. A vertical cross-section of the bottom surface from the bottom point of the bottom surface to an outer diameter of the outer ring is substantially parabolic. In some embodiments, a writing instrument fits into the opening of the chamber.

In various embodiments, the upper surface can be curved (such as, for example, in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6A), straight (such as, for example, in FIG. 5A and FIG. 10A), angled, or change in shape. In some embodiments the upper surface can be inset from the widest perimeter of the outer ring, such as, for example, element 115 in FIG. 11A and element 124 in FIG. 12A. (However, the embodiment in FIG. 11A could also be described as having flat upper surface 113 and an upper element with curved top surface 115; the embodiment in FIG. 12A could similarly be described as having curved upper surface 121 and an upper element with curved top surface 124.) In additional embodiments, the upper surface may be entirely flat (such as, for example, in FIG. 10A).

In various embodiments the upper element extends upward from the upper surface when the bottom surface of the holder is placed on a horizontal supporting surface. In additional embodiments, the upper element may take on a variety of shapes. For example, the upper element may be approximately cylindrical, conical (such as, for example, in FIG. 10A), spherical, pyramidal or other three-dimensional polygonal shape. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the upper element curves upward toward the opening, and in further embodiments, the curve flattens at the top near the opening. In some embodiments, the upper element has a top surface and a base, and the top surface is flat or at an angle with respect to a plane through the base of the upper element. In addition, in various embodiments, the upper junction where the upper element meets with the upper surface may be angular (such as, for example, in FIG. 1) or curved (such as, for example, in FIG. 14). Additionally, in some embodiments, the upper element may not be present. In some embodiments, the upper element is not centered on the upper surface of the stand. It should be understood that in this and other embodiments with all of these shapes, the top portion of the shape may be cut off before the top, such as, for example, to create the frustum of a cone, the frustum of a pyramid, a section of a sphere bounded by two parallel planes, or a section of a hemisphere bounded by either the planar surface of the hemisphere and one plane parallel thereto or a spherical segment bounded by two planes parallel to the planar surface of the hemisphere. The top surface thus created may be, for example, flat, curved, angled or wavy.

In various embodiments the top surface can take on a variety of shapes. For example, the top surface can be flat (such as, for example, in FIG. 5A), curved (such as, for example, in FIG. 11A), angled (such as, for example, in FIG. 9A) or wavy. In some embodiments the top surface can be a defined surface (such as, for example, in FIG. 5A) and in other embodiments the top surface can be continuous with the structure below it (such as, for example, the upper surface in FIG. 6A). In various embodiments, the top surface is the surface furthest above the bottom surface when the bottom surface of the holder is placed on a horizontal supporting surface. Thus, in some embodiments, the top surface is the upper surface.

In various embodiments the top surface defines an opening, such as, for example, for receiving a pen or other writing instrument. The shape of the opening can vary to accommodate the writing instrument. In addition, the opening may be flat (such as, for example, in FIG. 5A) or slanted (such as, for example, in FIG. 7A and FIG. 9A) in different embodiments. According to various embodiments, a chamber extends downward from the opening into the stand. In some embodiments, the opening is in the top surface of the upper element, and in some such embodiments, the chamber extends downward from the opening into the upper element. In additional embodiments, the chamber extends downward from the opening into the bottom portion of the stand. The opening may extend substantially straight downward into the stand (such as, for example, in FIG. 4) or at an angle downward into the stand, such that the chamber extends straight downward or at an angle downward into the stand. In some embodiments, a writing instrument inserted, for example, into a chamber that extends at an angle downward into the stand, will not be substantially vertical, but may instead be at an angle, when the stand is placed on a horizontal supporting surface. In further embodiments, the stand remains substantially vertical, despite the fact that a writing instrument inserted into the stand is not substantially vertical, when the stand is placed on a horizontal supporting surface. In additional embodiments, the walls of the chamber are angled such that the chamber is not of uniform diameter.

In various embodiments, in addition to the first chamber, as described above, the holder includes one or more additional chambers. In additional embodiments, the stand can be used with a variety of writing instruments, such as, for example, pens, pencils, fountain pens, markers, crayons, brushes, and chalk. In some embodiments, the writing instrument can be placed into the stand with the writing portion entering the chamber in the stand. In other embodiments and with other writing instruments, such as, for example, those that may not have a tip or nib, the writing instrument can be placed in the stand with either end in the chamber in the stand. In some embodiments the writing instrument extends for approximately the full length of the chamber. In other embodiments the writing instrument only extends into the stand for a portion of the chamber. In some embodiments, the writing instrument fits snugly into the chamber of the stand. Also, in various embodiments, the stand can be used with other objects that would otherwise lie relatively flat. In general, the opening can be sized and shaped to accommodate various sizes and shapes of writing instruments.

In various embodiments of the invention, the holder or stand holds two or more writing instruments. In some embodiments, such writing instruments could all be held simultaneously by the holder or removed simultaneously or sequentially such that the holder has the capacity to hold multiple writing instruments but may only be filled to part of its capacity. As a result, in such embodiments the holder may have multiple chambers, some or all of which may have a writing instrument removably inserted into the chamber at a given point in time. In some embodiments the multiple chambers may be located centrally on the holder; however, in other embodiments, the multiple chambers may be spaced over the various surfaces (for example, upper and/or top surfaces) of the upper portion of the holder. In such embodiments, the number and location of the filled chambers may affect the degree to which the holder maintains the writing instruments in a substantially vertical position when placed on a horizontal surface. For example, removal or insertion of an additional writing instrument into a specific chamber may cause the center of balance of the holder to change.

In some embodiments, the holder is formed integrally with a pen cap. In additional embodiments, the holder is a pen cap. In some embodiments, the writing instrument does not have a cap, such as, for example, a pen with a retractable nib or tip. In further embodiments, the writing instrument has a removable cap. Thus, in additional embodiments, the holder is separate from but can be used with a writing instrument without a cap.

As shown in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, stand 10 rests on bottom surface 11. In this embodiment upper surface 13 curves upward toward upper junction 14.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 3 shows writing instrument 17 removed from stand 10. This figure shows opening 18 in top surface 16 of upper element 15.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention in which writing instrument 17, not shown in cross-section, is removed from stand 10. In this embodiment, stand 10 rests on bottom surface 11 ending in outer ring 12. Outer ring 12 is the junction between bottom surface 11 and upper surface 13, which in this embodiment is curved. Upper surface 13 extends from outer ring 12 to upper junction 14 with upper element 15, which in this embodiment is approximately conical. Upper element 15 extends upward ending at top surface 16. Chamber 19 extends from top surface 16 downward into stand 10.

In this embodiment of the invention, upper surface 13, which may be curved, is encircled by outer ring 12. In this embodiment, outer ring 12 joins to bottom surface 11, which may also be curved. In some embodiments, upper surface 13 and bottom surface 11 have the same curve or the same degree of curvature. In some embodiments, stand 10 is solid and formed from a single piece of aluminum. In various embodiments, the holder is at least partly aluminum. In other embodiments the center of the stand may be completely hollow or may be hollow in part. In various embodiments, the outer ring defines a plane, with the bottom portion (including at least the bottom surface) below the plane and the upper portion (including at least the upper surface) above the plane such that a portion of the holder is below the plane, and the portion of the holder below the plane is a single piece of substantially uniform material. In some embodiments the portion of the holder below the plane that is a single piece of substantially uniform material is solid. In additional embodiments, the stand is formed from one or more separate pieces.

One exemplary embodiment has the following dimensions and shapes. Stand 10 has a height of about 40.5 mm, and outer ring 12 has a diameter of 54.8 mm. Above outer ring 12, upper surface 13 has a diameter at upper junction 14 of approximately 35 mm. From upper junction 14, upper element 15 extends upward to top surface 16 in an approximately conical shape, such as, for example, the frustum of a cone. The diameter at top surface 16 is approximately 21.5 mm, and the distance from upper junction 14 to top surface 16 of upper element 15 is about 18.5 mm. (Although top surface 16 is flat in this embodiment, the portion of upper surface 13 above outer ring 12 could define a continuous curve with top surface 16. In some embodiments, the continuous curve can bend to form a series of curves, such as, for example, a wavy surface.) In this embodiment, outer ring 12 is about 13 mm above the bottom of bottom surface 11. In various embodiments, the diameter of the outer ring ranges from about 45 mm to about 113 mm.

In this exemplary embodiment, into top surface 16 of upper element 15 is drilled chamber 19, for receiving tip or nib 20 of writing instrument 17. Although in this embodiment, chamber 19 is drilled vertically into upper element 15, chamber 19 could, alternatively, extend at an angle into upper element 15.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5A, upper surface 52 of stand 50 is flat or straight between outer ring 51 and upper junction 53. Additionally in this embodiment, the size of top surface 54 between upper edge 57 of upper element 58 and a corresponding point on edge 55 of opening 56 is increased, relative to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4. This dimension is also larger than the width of upper surface 52 between outer ring 51 and a corresponding point on the side of upper junction 53 on the outer ring. Thus, in this embodiment, the distance from outer ring 5 1 to a similarly measured corresponding point on upper junction 53 is smaller than the distance from edge 55 of opening 56 to a similarly measured corresponding point on an outer edge (such as upper edge 57) of top surface 54. FIG. 5B shows a side view of such an embodiment.

FIG. 5C shows a view along line A-A of FIG. 5B, which shows that the width of upper surface 52 from outer ring 51 to a corresponding point on the side of upper junction 53 is smaller than the width of top surface 54 from upper edge 57 to a similarly measured corresponding point on edge 55 of opening 56 in this embodiment.

FIG. 6A shows an embodiment in which upper surface 61 of stand 60 curves upward from outer ring 62 toward opening 63. This curve may be continuous or may flatten at the top near the opening. In some embodiments this curve is symmetrical or approximately symmetrical with the parabolic or approximately parabolic curve of bottom surface 64. Thus, for example, the upper surface may have substantially the same degree of curvature as the bottom surface. FIG. 6B shows a side view of such an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment there is no distinct upper element of stand 60. FIG. 6C shows a view along line A-A of FIG. 6B.

FIG. 7A shows an embodiment similar to that shown in FIGS. 6A-C; however, in this embodiment, upper element 71 of stand 70 has been added on top of the curved upper surface. Additionally, in the embodiment depicted in this figure, top surface 72 of upper element 71 is at an angle with respect to a plane through the base of upper element 71. Thus, in this embodiment the height of upper element 71 will vary around the sides of upper element 71. FIG. 7B shows a side view of such an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7C shows a view along line B-B of FIG. 7B.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, shows stand 80 in which upper surface 83 extends from outer ring 82 to inner ring 84. Inner ring 84 defines the upper, outer boundary of hollow 85. In this embodiment, upper surface 83 defines inner ring 84, inner ring 84 being an inner edge of upper surface 83, and the inner ring defines an upper boundary of a surface curved toward bottom surface 81. FIG. 8B shows a side view of such an embodiment. Although in this embodiment the surface curves toward bottom surface 81, in additional embodiments, the surface could be, for example, angled or a combination of curved and angled toward bottom surface 81.

FIG. 8C shows a view along line A-A of FIG. 8B, in which chamber 86 is open at inner surface 88 of curved body structure 87. Curved body structure 87 defines inner hollow 85 of this embodiment of stand 80.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 9A shows stand 90 in which upper surface 91 is slanted along top surface 92 to form an asymmetrical stand. The edge of slanted top surface 92 may or may not end on one side at outer ring 94. As a result of this slanted top surface, opening 93 of the chamber at top surface 92 is also along a slant. FIG. 9B shows an embodiment in which one side of the slanted edge of top surface 92 ends at outer ring 94. FIG. 9C shows a view along line A-A of FIG. 9B.

FIG. 10A depicts an embodiment in which upper surface 101 of stand 100 is flat between outer ring 102 and upper junction 103. In addition, in this embodiment, the length of the side of upper element 104 is increased in relation to the depth of the bottom portion of the stand (between the plane of flat upper surface 101 and the bottom of bottom surface 105) as compared to some previously described embodiments. FIG. 10B shows a side view of such an embodiment. FIG. 10C shows a view along line A-A of FIG. 10B.

FIG. 11A depicts an embodiment in which upper surface 113 is flat between outer ring 112 and upper junction 114. In addition, in this embodiment, upper element 115 is not conical, but instead is curved from upper junction 114 upward toward opening 116 at the top of stand 110. This curve may be continuous or may flatten at the top near the opening. In some embodiments this curve is symmetrical or approximately symmetrical with the parabolic or approximately parabolic curve of the bottom surface. Thus, for example, the upper element may have substantially the same degree of curvature as the bottom surface.

This embodiment could alternatively be described as a stand in which the upper element is missing but in which the diameter of the widest portion of the upper surface is smaller than that of the bottom surface, such that the upper surface is inset from the widest perimeter of the outer ring, thus creating a ring encircling the bottom of the upper surface. The surface of this ring may be flat or curved. (FIG. 11B shows that in this embodiment, the surface of this ring is flat.)

FIG. 11B shows a side view of such an embodiment. FIG. 11C shows a view along line A-A of FIG. 11B.

FIG. 12A depicts an embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 11A, except that upper surface 121 is curved between outer ring 122 and upper junction 123. Alternatively, this embodiment could be described as one in which the upper element is missing but in which the diameter of the widest portion of the upper surface is smaller than that of the bottom surface, thus creating a ring encircling the bottom of the upper surface, and the surface of this ring is curved. FIG. 12B depicts such an embodiment and illustrates that in such an embodiment the base of upper element 124 at upper junction 123 will be above outer ring 122 when the stand is placed on a horizontal supporting surface and that, in this embodiment, the surface between outer ring 122 and upper junction 124 is curved. FIG. 12C shows a view along line C-C of FIG. 12B.

FIGS. 13A-C depict an embodiment of the invention that is another version similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 13A is a perspective side view of a writing instrument stand according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, bottom surface 130 curves upward toward outer ring 131, and upper element 132 extends upward from upper surface 134. In this embodiment, top surface 137 of the holder defines opening 133 of a chamber to hold a writing instrument. FIG. 13B is a side view of the writing instrument stand shown in FIG. 13A. The embodiment depicted in this figure shows bottom surface 130 curving upward to outer ring 131; upper surface 134 curves upward from outer ring 131 to upper junction 136 with upper element 132, which ends at top surface 135. FIG. 13C is a top view of the writing instrument stand shown in FIG. 13A. The embodiment depicted in this figure shows outer ring 131, upper junction 136, top surface 137, and opening 133.

FIG. 14 depicts a side view of a writing instrument stand according to one embodiment of the invention. The embodiment depicted in this figure shows outer ring 141, curved upper junction 142, and upper element 143. In this embodiment, the junction between upper element 143 and top surface 144 is also curved.

In other aspects, the invention includes a kit having a writing instrument and a holder. In various embodiments, the writing instrument is sized so that a portion of the instrument is removably insertable into the opening of the chamber. In some embodiments, the holder is formed integrally with a cap for the writing instrument. In further embodiments, the holder is a cap for the writing instrument. In some embodiments, the holder is separate from a cap for the writing instrument, such that in various embodiments the writing instrument has a cap and the writing instrument can be removably inserted into the opening of the chamber with the cap or without the cap. In some embodiments the writing instrument is a pen, and in further embodiments the writing instrument is a pen with a removable cap. In some embodiments, the writing portion of the instrument is removably insertable into the opening in the chamber. The writing instrument may extend into the chamber for the full length of the chamber or just for a portion of the chamber. In additional embodiments, the writing instrument is substantially vertical when inserted into the opening of the chamber and the bottom surface of the holder is placed on a horizontal supporting surface. In various embodiments, the holder and writing instrument can include any of the embodiments disclosed herein alone or in combination. For example, in some embodiments, the holder in the kit further comprises an upper element.

In view of the wide variety of embodiments to which the principles of the present invention can be applied, it should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention. 

1. A holder for a writing instrument, comprising an upper portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion including a bottom surface, and the upper portion including an upper surface extending from an outer ring, the outer ring defining a junction between the bottom portion and the upper portion; the upper portion defining an opening of a chamber; the chamber extending downward from the opening into the holder; a vertical cross-section of the upper portion and the bottom portion from the bottom point of the bottom surface through the center point of the outer ring having approximately a point at the junction of the upper portion and the bottom portion; and a vertical cross-section of the bottom surface from the bottom point of the bottom surface to an outer diameter of the outer ring being continuous and substantially parabolic.
 2. The holder of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface is a paraboloid.
 3. The holder of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface is a curve bounded by y=x²/a, where a is approximately 58 mm.
 4. The holder of claim 1, wherein the upper surface is curved.
 5. The holder of claim 4, wherein the upper surface curves upward in a convex curve beginning at the outer ring.
 6. The holder of claim 4, wherein the curved upper surface flattens at the top.
 7. The holder of claim 1, wherein the upper surface is slanted.
 8. The holder of claim 1, wherein the upper surface changes shape.
 9. The holder of claim 1, wherein an inner edge of the upper surface defines an inner ring, wherein the inner ring defines an upper boundary of a surface curved toward the bottom surface.
 10. The holder of claim 1, further comprising an upper element, the upper element extending upward from the upper surface.
 11. The holder of claim 10, wherein the upper element is approximately in the shape of the frustum of a cone.
 12. The holder of claim 10, wherein the upper element is approximately in the shape of a section of a sphere bounded by two parallel planes.
 13. The holder of claim 10, wherein the upper element has a top surface and a base, the top surface being at an angle with respect to a plane through the base of the upper element.
 14. The holder of claim 10, wherein the upper element meets the upper surface at an upper junction, and wherein the upper junction is curved.
 15. The holder of claim 10, wherein the upper element is not centered on the upper surface.
 16. The holder of claim 10, wherein the chamber extends downward from the opening into the upper element.
 17. The holder of claim 1, wherein the upper portion includes a top surface, the top surface being the surface furthest above the bottom surface.
 18. The holder of claim 17, wherein the top surface is slanted.
 19. The holder of claim 17, wherein the top surface defines the opening of the chamber.
 20. The holder of claim 19, wherein the opening of the chamber is slanted.
 21. The holder of claim 17, wherein the top surface is curved.
 22. The holder of claim 17, wherein the top surface is continuous with the structure below it.
 23. The holder of claim 1, wherein the opening is slanted.
 24. The holder of claim 1, wherein the holder is partially hollow.
 25. The holder of claim 1, wherein the chamber extends at an angle downward.
 26. The holder of claim 1, wherein the upper surface and the bottom surface have substantially the same degree of curvature.
 27. A kit, comprising a writing instrument and a holder, the holder comprising an upper portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion including a bottom surface, and the upper portion including an upper surface extending from an outer ring, the outer ring defining a junction between the bottom portion and the upper portion; the upper portion defining an opening of a chamber; the chamber extending downward from the opening into the holder; a vertical cross-section of the upper portion and the bottom portion from the bottom point of the bottom surface through the center point of the outer ring having approximately a point at the junction of the upper portion and the bottom portion; and a vertical cross-section of the bottom surface from the bottom point of the bottom surface to an outermost diameter of the outer ring being continuous and substantially parabolic, and a writing instrument sized so that a portion of the instrument is removably insertable into the opening of the chamber.
 28. The kit of claim 27, wherein the holder is formed integrally with a cap for the writing instrument.
 29. The kit of claim 27, wherein the writing instrument is substantially vertical when inserted into the opening of the chamber and the bottom surface of the holder is placed on a horizontal supporting surface.
 30. The kit of claim 27, wherein the holder further comprises an upper element.
 31. A holder for a writing instrument, comprising a bottom surface, an upper surface, an outer ring, an upper element, and a top surface, the outer ring defining a junction between the bottom surface and the upper surface; the upper surface being a continuous curve ending at an upper junction between the upper surface and the upper element; the upper element extending upward from the upper junction ending at a junction with the top surface, the top surface defining an opening of a chamber for a writing instrument, the chamber extending downward from the opening in the top surface into the holder; and a vertical cross-section of the bottom surface from the bottom point of the bottom surface to an outer diameter of the outer ring being substantially parabolic. 